Customer Reviews New Balance Fresh Foam Crag Trail

This is an update to my review of September 30, 2019. I originally had problems with the tight opening displacing my socks causing a binding on my toes. After playing around with it for a while I finally figured out that I could loosen the laces a lot and it made it easier to put the shoe on without causing a problem. But, I really need lateral support and I don't think this shoe gives enough of that for my needs. It's cute and comfortable, but it would just be a daily wear shoe, not for trail or fitness walking. I found that another New Balance shoe (669v2) that works better , So I will be returning this one.

I ordered my normal New Balance size 8 and my toes and the side and metatarsal area (ie my foot "knuckles" I call them) felt crowded and there was pressure on the ends of my toes from the stitching across the toe area where I have a small bunion/arthritis. I returned them and re-ordered a half size up, 8.5 not much difference. I wasn't going to re-order them because I'm not sure that New Balance is my go-to shoe anymore. These are trail shoes and they are stiffer, have good support, attractive, and exactly what I'm looking for. I've spent 40+ years of working in professions where I'm on my feet all day so comfort is the main criteria for me. I see that the price has dropped in the last weeks so I'm thinking about trying a 8.5 wide to see if they pass the perfection test. Only because of Zappos awesome return policy and the ease of returning to a UPS shipping store am I going to try these one more time. If they work out I'll post a picture and give this shoe 5 stars because 5 stars in Comfort is what it will take to keep these on my feet.

These shoes are really cool looking, but the "D" width is nowhere near wide enough for me. I even went up half a size from what I normally wear. Historically, for me, New Balance wide width has been comfortable and roomy enough. I'm not sure, but with these shoes the issue may be that the tongue is permanently attached on both sides to the body of the shoe (kind of like a water shoe), which leaves little slack, or pardon the pun, wriggle room. I cannot give a review on the the comfort or arch support, as they were too narrow to get on. So, for the fact they were too narrow I'm only giving two stars on the comfort. So I'll be sending them back and looking for a different shoe.

Nice looking shoe, but felt like standard width instead of the wide (D) width I ordered.

disappointed they were so narrow.

The shoe is entirely a slip-on and the laces help tighten things up. They were cushiony and the wide width accommodated my wide feet. The problem was the top of the shoes were too high and hit right at my ankle bones, as opposed to curving under a person's ankle bones. Maybe my foot is weird but they were just too high cut and didn't fit properly.

fit and size were good. These shoes are very comfortable in the soles... I could wear them all day, if it weren't for the back (at the achilles tendon) comes up too high and rubs. I wear short socks and the socks don't reach the height to protect the back of my foot. Otherwise, I like the style and the soles are very soft and comfortable. I wanted to like these but I can't.

Sorry to disagree with other reviewers but... First of all, this "sneaker" has no tongue and is actually a slip-on shoe (the laces are largely decorative). I normally wear a 7 1/2; buy 8 in sneakers in order to wear socks. No room for socks in this 8: it is short at the toe, tight across the top of the shoe, and after wearing the shoe for a few hours, it is cut so high that it rubs below my ankle. One plus--it is very lightweight, but I just can't recommend it.

the tongue is not free, it is attached to the side of the shoe. Making it very difficult to get your foot in the shoe. Don't buy these shoes!

I could not put the Fresh Foam Crag Trail shoe on to see if it fit. The tongue is sewn on. Unfortunately, the tongue is attached all the way up to the very last hole for the laces, so the opening is too small to get my foot into. I looked at my regular shoes where I can pull the tongue down while the shoe is going on my foot. The tongue has no give whatsoever. It could be a nice shoe with a slight redesign for usability.

These would have been great if I was able to put them on without a struggle and without making my sock bunch up around my toes because of how I had to force my foot through the fixed opening. I should have listened to the other reviewers! These should have some sort of flex in the opening so that a person can easily put them on. Very disappointed. They are going back :(

LIked the color options and the stiffer bottom. I would say moderate arch support and ran a full size smaller than I wear in Adidas, Hoka, and Mizuno's.

Super comfortable and fit great!

Only issue was height of the back-rubbed a little

Great fit and feel! No break-in time.

Shoes fit right out of the box. Was able to put in my own orthotic insert and fits great. The back does come up a little higher than normal but it gives good ankle support. Shoes arrived laced all the way up, had to unlace the top holes to get on foot and decided I liked them laced that way better rather than lacing the top hole--also makes it easier to get on and off.

I was worried that I got these too small but once I wore them they gave some and fit perfectly. Wore them the first time on a 7 mile hike and they were great! So comfortable, great grip and no blisters! Would recommend!

I am used to wearing Brooks running and trail running shoes (for hiking), and take an 8.5 in that brand (though in most other shoes I use 7.5 or 8). I also needed an 8.5 in these New Balance trail runners which I plan to use for hiking and I was pleasantly surprised by them, they are just as cushy as a pair of Brooks for a lot less money. They also come up a little higher on your ankle than the average shoe and should provide some ankle support. They don't have as much room in the toe box as Brooks do in general, but it doesn't bother me. Very happy with my purchase!